What represents the main objective when applying WSJF in backlog prioritization?

• A. Maximize ROI
• B. Minimize cost
• C. Maximize team size
• D. Maximize documentation

Answer: (A)

WSJF prioritizes backlog items by economic impact over time. The aim is to put work first that delivers the greatest economic value as quickly as possible. This is done by comparing how much value is lost if a feature is delayed (Cost of Delay) against how long it takes to deliver it (size or duration). The higher the WSJF score, the more valuable it is to do that work sooner. In practical terms, this means you’re trying to maximize ROI—getting the biggest return on investment from the team’s time and effort by delivering high-value items earlier. Other options don’t capture this focus on value and speed: simply minimizing cost ignores the value lost by delay; increasing team size isn’t about prioritizing work; and more documentation doesn’t inherently boost economic impact.